Japan’ s My Number program マイナンバー法 gets independent Data Protection Authority Commissioner in early 2014 World Privacy Forum Skip to Content Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display Home Connect With Us: twitter Vimeo email Main Navigation Hot Topics

Japan’ s My Number program マイナンバー法 gets independent Data Protection Authority Commissioner in early 2014

Japan — Under the mai nannbaa-ho (マイナンバー法) My Number Act (enacted May 13, 2013, also called the Social Benefits and Tax Number Act), Japan’s citizens will be assigned unique numbers to track income, social security, taxes, welfare and benefits, and certain information in disasters. Japan will start assigning numbers to its citizens in late 2015. The My Number Act brought with it concern about the use of the numbers as a unique national ID. As a result, Japan will establish a new independent Data Protection Authority called the Specific Personal Information Protection Commission, and will consist of a Chairman and six commission members. The Chairman and Commissioners will be appointed by Japan’s Prime Minister, and confirmed by Japan’s National Diet. The Commission will oversee the use of the new Social Security and Tax system numbers. Unlike many national ID numbering systems, Japan did not set up a centralized database for the numbers due to concerns about data breach and privacy. Professor Hiroshi Miyashita from Japan’s Chuo University, and an Advisor to the Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) — gave a talk Oct. 1 at a Privacy Laws & Business Asia Roundtable in London. He told PL& B that the new Commission is to “ensure the proper handling of personal numbers and other specific personal information, and provide guidance, advice and recommendations.” Professor Miyashita said enforcement powers will be limited to requiring reports and conducting on-site inspections. Additional documents regarding the new DPA indicate that there will be a role for the Commission in overseeing release of personal information in disasters, and that the Commission will also issue guidance regarding the use of identifying numbers.

More Information and Links

Background on the My Number Bill passage in Japan

Backgrounder on the details of the My Number Act the legislation and the interaction with the existing Japanese Family Register System cards and Basic Resident cards

Presentation materials about the Number Use Act and related privacy legislation in Japan

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Japan

Consumer Affairs Agency Japan

Background on the CAA Japan

Posted October 7, 2013 in Blog Post, Country: Japan, ID Cards, International Privacy, National ID Next »News Release: WPF Publishes New Consumer Tips for Using Facebook Privacy Settings, First FAQ in a Series « PreviousConsumer Tips: What to do about the NSA address book snooping WPF updates and news CALENDAR EVENTS

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